Clunes Goldtown

Now famous for its Booktown event, this lovely old town was the site of the first registered gold discovery in Victoria in 1851. The ensuing goldrush put Clunes well and truly on the map for the next few years.  

Clunes sits in a valley, surrounded by extinct volcanoes. We visited the old mining sites up on the hill by driving up the Scenic Drive above Esmond Park. 

Relics remain from the gold and quartz mines which on which the town made its name and fame.Glimpses of the historic buidings in town can be seen through the leafy treetops.

Back in the Main St, we visited the Clunes Museum for a look into the town's past. 

The double storey building, set in an old warehouse,  holds a large collection of mining artefacts, agricultural items, art and the town's Information Centre. 

 

The volunteer staff were friendly and helpful and we found the Museum to be the perfect place to while away an hour or two learning about this historic place, before setting off to see the movie set-like buildings of the Main Street.

What: Clunes Museum

Where: 36 Fraser St, Clunes

When:Daily from 10am. Closed Tues and Sun.

Why: history

How Much: FREE  

Nearby:Clunes Booktown  Clunes Historic Buildings Walk

Tooronga Falls, Noojee

The scenery along the drive from Noojee to Tooronga Falls is almost as good as the destination. The road hugs the Tooronga River, as the river snakes its way through lush green farmlands that touch the edge of the forest.
The timber industry the town was built on is still alive and well and these logs were stacked up like pick-up-sticks at the local sawmill.

Arriving at the carpark, we headed up to the 750m track to Tooronga Falls. The path took us up the hill, past massive boulders and alongside leafy ferns and tall Mountain Ash.

Some parts of the track were on even ground, while other sections had rocky steps to climb.

 

We were so busy chatting and listening for the bird calls, that we barely noticed how many steps we climbed. My legs told me later that it was A LOT OF STEPS.

 

We chose not to take the longer circuit track up to the Ampitheatre Falls, instead we came back on the same track.

The sun peeking through the fern fronds gave the whole place a lovely dappled light. The sound of the water rushing by was a nice soundtrack to the walk.

I'll do the longer walk next time, when I come back during the cooler months.

What: Tooronga Falls, Noojee 

Where:Tooronga Falls Rd

When:Daily

Why: walks, scenery
How Much: FREE 
Nearby:Noojee Town,  Noojee Trestle Bridge